Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans in relation to job retention and creation at Dún Laoghaire harbour and at Dún Laoghaire Harbour Company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33440/11]

Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has been in contact with a company (details supplied) in relation to the ongoing threat to jobs and downgrading of ferry services from Dún Laoghaire; and if he will provide an update on the actions taken regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33439/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 33 together.

The situation regarding employment in Dun Laoghaire harbour remains unchanged since my response to the Deputy's oral PQ on the matter on 29 September last.

Stena Line, as an independent commercial company, has taken a decision to introduce greater efficiencies and reduce their overall operating overheads. The number of passengers and cars using Stena Line's Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead ferry service and the number of sailings on the service has been falling for a number of years.The HSS Stena Explorer, operating on the Dun Laoghaire Holyhead route, generates most of its turnover during the period May to September. I understand that this, coupled with high fuel operating costs, leaves the remaining months unsustainable.

The company say they will continue to operate the route on a seasonal basis and services on the route are scheduled to resume in April 2012. Passengers and freight customers can still avail of the company's route between Dublin Port and Holyhead. This route is served by two vessels and the company operates a year round schedule.

As stated previously, the HSS Stena Explorer is a UK flagged vessel and I have no function in relation to employment on board the vessel. It is my understanding that the company has commenced consultations with their staff on board the vessel and those on shore in Dun Laoghaire and their trade union representatives to discuss the implications of the proposed changes.

Yesterday I met with a senior executive from Stena Lines with whom I discussed the matter and we agreed to a follow up meeting.

Over recent years the Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company has been restructuring its business in order to keep it on a sustainable financial footing and to enable the harbour to develop and operate on a commercial basis into the future. This has inevitably led to some job losses. The company has also been pursuing a twin strategy of developing alternative income streams from marine leisure and tourism related business, whilst also reducing its high cost base. The Board formally adopted its Masterplan describing its vision for the future of Dún Laoghaire Harbour on 4 October last.